Display binder



y 958 E. w. ERlCSON 2,835,511

DISPLAY BINDER Filed June 5, 1957 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'i liiiz l i l l lMay 20, 1958 E. w. ERICSON DISPLAY BINDER Filed Jun 5 1957 2 Sheets-s 2n (M II N "H L H W rite Patented May 20, 1958 ice DISPLAY BINDER ElmerW. Ericson, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 5, 1957, Serial No. 663,820

15 Claims. (Cl. 281-33) This invention relates to improvements indisplay types of binders, particularly, it relates to a new, novel anduseful improvement of that kind of display binder illustrated anddescribed in the joint application for Letters Patent Serial Number550,667, filed December 2, 1955, by Elmer W. Ericson and Rudolph E.Brauer.

By way of improvement of or upon the invention disclosed in theaforesaid application, the present invention provides a display binderwhose construction is of greater simplicity, whose production cost iscomparatively less, and whose operation and/or usage, when opened to adisplay position, is more stable and secure, thus, making for betterdisplay of those matters contained thereby in that such displayedmatters will be firmly and surely retained in display position and theopened binder prevented from annoying collapsing or tipping as and whenin displaying use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a binder having a simple,durable and positive stop or motion check and arresting means whichautomatically operates, upon the swinging of one of the binder panels toits open and display position away from the other of its cover panels,to firmly and securely retain the same in that position, yet permit thefirst noted panel to be easily and freely swung or returned to itsinitial and closed position, as and when desired.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a binder cover panelmotion stop which will in no manner detract from or interfere with usageof the binder as such, to wit, engaging and retaining the contentsthereof in book leaflike form between the cover panels thereof;permitting the usual insertion and/or removal of the same; and theirselective turning, as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a display binder of thestated character wherein when one of its cover panels is swung away fromthe other to a substantially vertical position, said other cover panelwill be firmly or solidly supported in a position inclined to thehorizontal, the better to display the leaf-like sheets or other matterscontained by and connected to the binder rings or binder mechanism,hence, increasing the display value of the device.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritoriousteachings of my invention, will be in part obvious and in part pointedout in the following detailed disclosures thereof, when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that theforms of the invention presented herein are precise and what are nowconsidered to be the better modes of embodying its principles, but thatother modifications and changes may be made without departing from itsessential features.

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 is a perspective of my improved display binder in an openedor display position, portions of its cover panels being broken away.

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the displaybinder in an opened or display posi tion showing the leaf bindermechanism or rings and (in dotted lines) sheets engaged therewith and indisplay position, a part of one cover panel being broken away.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the display binder in its closedposition with the sheets shown in dotted lines; portions of the sheetsand the cover panels being broken away.

Figure 4- is a fragmentary vertical transverse section, similar toFigure 2, showing a slightly modified form of panel motion stop.

Figure 5 is a perspective of one of the modified panel motion stops.

Figure 6 is a perspective of another modified form of the inventionparticularly advantageous for use in containing and displaying cards,portions of the panels being broken away.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical transverse section through the form ofdisplay binder shown in Figure 6, and,

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the form of binder shown in Figure 6 inits closed position with a portion thereof shown in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings (Figures l-3) the invention consistsof a book-like binder including front and back stiff panels 1 and 2 ofsubstantially corresponding lengths, and a stiff back 3. The width ofthe front panel 1 is greater than that of the back panel 2, and thepanels and back are arranged in edgewise adjacent relation and arehingedly connected by a suitable sheet-like material 4 engaged over andabout the same, all as shown in the Figures 2 and 3.

The back 3 is of cross-sectionally right angular form (see Figure 2).

The Width of the front panel 1 equals the combined width of the backpanel 2 and the side Wall of the back 3 to which it is hingedlyconnected.

Complemental substantially U-shaped bodies made of light metal or othersuitable material, indicated by the numeral 5 are set transversely intoand snugly received in that space between the back 3 and the extendedinner end portion of the front panel 1 in longitudinally spacedrelation, as shown in Figure 1. The wider side of each body is riveted,at 6, or otherwise permanently joined to an adjacent portion of thefront panel, while the narrower and remaining side of each is similarlyjoined, at 7, to an adjacent portion of the side wall of the back 3.Said remaining side or sides of the body or bodies 5 preferablycorrespond substantially in depth or width to that of the back sidewall.

Fixedly carried on the inner faces of the upwardly extended end portionsof the wider sides of the bodies 5 are motion arresting or stop arms 8,each extending inwardly or laterally thereof and each carrying a fixedand right angularly disposed finger 8'.

A flat and elongated stiff plate 9 which may be provided with a suitablecovering material iii, is flatly or fiushly engaged with a portion ofthe inner face of the back panel 2. It is in coplanar relation theretoand is fixedly secured thereto, as by rivets 11. A portion of the plate(see Figures 1 and 2) substantially corresponding in width to that ofthe side wall of the back 3, extends from and beyond the back panel 2inner and hinged end. Openings 12 are formed in the plate extendedportion in transverse juxtaposed relation to the fingers 8 of the motionstop or arresting arms, aforesaid.

While I have herein illustrated and described a pair of motion arrestingor stop means comprised of the bodies 5, arms 8 and fingers 8, it willbe understood that more or less thereof may be used, such asmanufacturing conditions or preference may dictate; moreover, that thenumber of openings 12 in the stiff plate 9 will correspond to saidfingers 8'.

That leaves, sheets or the like, shown in dotted lines and designated bythe numeral 13 may be swingably and detachably connected toand carriedwithin the binder, Ifixedly mount a conventional form of ring bindermechanism 14 on and longitudinally of the inner face of the back panel 2parallelto and preferably spaced outwardly of or from its inner edge andthe side wall of the back 3. If desired, the rivets 11 securing theelongated plate 9 to said back panel may be used to secure the bindermechanism thereto.

In the Figures 4 and 5 I have shown a slightly modified form of motionarresting or stop means. Herein, the body 15 of said means is also ofsubstantially U-shaped formation and made of material suitable therefor.One side wall of the body, i. e., that wall which is connected to theextended end of the front panel 1, is of greater width or depth than theother. An upper portion of this side wall is struck or bent inwardlyinto substantially right angular relation and constitutes a motionarresting or stop arm 16 similar to the arms 8, shown and described inthe preceding embodiment of my invention. A pin or finger 16' is fixedlycarried by the arm 16, being disposed inwardly of the body 15 andsubstantially parallel to the near body side wall.

In usage of my invention, and particularly, that form of the sameillustrated by the Figures l-3. it is assumed that the display binderembracing the same is in its closed position (see Figure 3). A user toopen the binder to its display position, as shown in the Figures 1 and2, merely grasps a forward portion of the front panel 1, raising thesame and swinging it away from the back panel 2. In so doing, the back 3of the display binder moves simultaneously or collectively with thefront panel 1, hinging at and along its opposite side wall at the pointof its hinged connection with the back panel 2. As and when the frontpanel is moved to a vertical position, or upright position, the U-shapedback will too be in an upright or vertical position, i. e., in angularrelation to the back panel 2. Thus, it is seen that the back panel 2 issupported from or by the narrower side wall of the back 3 in a positioninclined to the horizontal.

As and when the front panel 1 is swung to its aforesaid upright and openposition, the binder will be ready for display usage.

Also, as and when said front panel has been swung to and assumes theabove indicated upright position, it will be understood and appreciatedthat the stiff elongated plate 9 will have been fulcrumed or swungupwardly so that the fingers 8' on the arms 8 of the motion arresting orstop means will be engaged in and through the stiff plate openings 12.Thus, the adjacent end portion of said stiff elongated plate will bebrought into abutting engagement with the arms 8. Consequently, the nowupright front panel 1 will be secured or interlocked with the plate 9,the back panel 2 and the back 3; It will, thereby, be prevented frommovement beyond the vertical or near vertical.

Because the binder mechanism 14 is positioned on the back panel 2 inspaced relation to the binder back 3, it will be understood thatsufficient incline will be afforded to the leaves or sheets 13 when theyare upwardly swung so as to retain them in the dotted line positionillustrated in Figure 2; moreover, to effect their efficient andsatisfactory display. It is furthermore to be noted that because of theabove described positioning and/ or mounting of the binder mechanism 14on the back binder 2, a counterbalancing weight will be provided to theopened display binder which will offer a material resistance to if notprevent the rearward tipping over of the binder.

To close the improved display binder, it is only necessary that the userengage a portion of the now upright front panel 1 and, swing it inwardlyo rdownwardly toward the back panel 2. When so doing, the stiffelongated plate 9 will disengage from the motion arresting or stop meansand will move into a position adjacent and substantially parallel to thenarrower side wall of the back 3 in a manner shown in Figure 3 of thedrawings. The spacing between the front and back panels afforded by thewidth of the back 3 will be suificient to permit complete closing of thebinder panels without interference from the binder mechanism 14. Also,as and when the binder is closed, it will be observed that the arms 8and finger 8 of the motion arresting or stop means will be disposedwithin or between the binder front and back panels.

Operation of a binder provided with the modified form of motionarresting or stop means shown in the Figures 4 and 5 will, of course,correspond to that of the preferred or first described embodiment of myinvention.

While the forms of my invention shown in the drawing Figures 1, 4 and 5have been hereinbefore described for .use in connection with displaybinders containing leaves, sheets or the like, it is to be understoodthat the invention may be used advantageously for the reception and thedisplaying of loose and stacked display cards, or their equivalents. Tosuch an end, the adaptation shown in and by the Figures 6-8 may beemployed. Therein, still front and back panels 1 and 2 and a stiff back3' are provided.

Complemental substantially U-shaped bodies 5' of light metal or othersuitable material are set transversely into the back 3' inlongitudinally spaced relation and are afiixed thereto by rivets 7' orthe like. One of the sides of each body is deeper or taller than theother. The upper portions of the same are inwardly disposed atsubstantially right angles. Each portion carries a fixed and downwardlyor inwardly disposed finger 16.

The inner side portion of the stiff panel 1' is in apposed relation tothe deeper sides of the bodies 5' and is afiixed thereto as at 6', whilethe inner side of the stiff panel 2' is hinged to the free or outer sideof the back 3' as at 17.

Flat stiff strips 18 are affixed in longitudinally spaced relation,corresponding to that of the bodies 5', to the normally inner face ofthe inner side portion of the stiff panel 2' and extend therefrom fordistances substantially approximatingthe 'width of the back 3'. Each hasan opening 19 therethrough. Thus, when the binder is in its open ordisplay position said strips will receive the fingers l6 vof theadjacent bodies 5' therethrough and the strips will abut the adjacentinwardly disposed upper portions of said bodies in the mannerillustrated by Figures 6 and 7. Consequently, the now upright stiffpanel 1' will be interconnected with the inclined stiff panel 2' andafford a substantial easel back-rest.

To receive and confine the display cards 20 in their stacked relation onthe stiff panel 2' a tray is provided to its inner face by fixedlymounting walls 21 on and adjacent its outer side and opposite ends (seeFigure 6).

It is preferable, though not necessary, that the sizes of the cards 19shall correspond and shall be such that they will be rather snugly yetloosely received in and by the aforesaid tray, this for obvious reasons.

In order that the cards 20 will be retained in their substantiallyupright, and apposed display positions in the manner shown in Figure 7,the outer end portions of each of the flat stiff strips 18 are formedwith angularly disposed flanges or lips 18. Thus, as and when thedisplay binder is in its easel-like display position, as shown in Figure7, the cards 20 when turned or positioned in display positions, are,obviously, retained in such positions by means of said lips 18.Moreover, as and when said cards are returned to their nested positionswithin the aforesaid tray, they will move or slide downwardly on theinclined; back panel 2, and will lie outwardly of or beyond theangularly disposed lips 18. Thereby, they will not interfere with orimpede their turning to the substantially upright and/ or displaypositions, above described.

When the above described modified form of the invention is closed, as isshown in Figure 8, it will be seen that the cards will be retained innested relation within the tray constituted by the walls 21.

I claim:

1. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a back betweenthe panels adjacent certain and corresponding ends thereof, the frontpanel being fixedly connected to one side of the back, the back panelbeing hinged to an opposite side of said back, a stiff plate fixed tothe back panel extended beyond that side hinged to the back, theextended portion of said plate substantially approximating the distancebetween the sides of the back, and means on the front panel engageableat times with a portion of the plate whereby to limit the extent ofhinged movement between the back panel, the back, and the front panel.

2. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a stiff backhaving depth and width positioned between the panels in proximity tocertain and corresponding ends thereof, the front panel being fixedlyconnected to one side of the back, the back panel being hinged to anopposite side of the back and spaced from the front panel, a stiff platefixed to the back panel extended beyond that side of the same which ishinged to the back, the extended portion of the plate substantiallycorresponding but being less than the width of the back, and means onthe front panel engageable at times with a portion of the plate wherebyto limit the extent of hinged movement between the back panel, the back,and the front panel.

3. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a stiff backbetween the panels adjacent certain and corresponding ends thereof, theback panel being hinged to one side of the back, the front panel beingof a width substantially equaling the depth of the back and width of theback panel and being fixedly connected to an opposite side of the backin spaced relation to the back panel, a stiff plate fixed to the backpanel extended beyond that side of the same which is hinged to the back,the extended portion of the plate substantially approximating but beingless than the width of the back, and means on the front panel engageableat times with a portion of said plate whereby to limit the extent ofhinged movement between the back panel, the back, and the front panel.

4. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a stiff backbetween the panels adjacent certain and corresponding ends thereof, thewidth of said front panel substantially approximating the depth of theback and width of the back panel and being fixedly joined to one side ofthe back, the back panel being hinged to an opposite side of said backin spaced relation to the front panel, a stiff extension from andcontiguous with that portion of the back panel hinged to said back, saidextension substantially approximating but being less than the width ofthe back, and means on the front panel engageable at times with aportion of said extension whereby to limit the amount of hinged movementbetween the back panel, the back, and the front panel.

5. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels and a back,said back panel being hinged to one side of said back at a pointinwardly of its normally inner side, said front panel being fixedlyconnected to an opposite side of the back in spaced relation to the backpanel, that portion of the back panel inwardly of its point of hingingto said back being of a width substantially approximating the width ofthe back but slightly less than the same, and means on said front panelengageable at times with that portion of the back panel inwardly of itshinging to said back whereby to limit the extent of hinged movementbetween the back panel, the back, and the front panel.

6. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a back betweenthe panels in proximity to certain and corresponding ends thereof, thefront panel being fixedly connected to one side of the back, the backpanel being hinged to an opposite side of said back, a stiff extensionfixedly carried by the back panel extended beyond that side hinged tothe back, the extension substantially approximating the distance betweenthe sides of the back, means on the front panel engageable at times witha portion of said extension whereby to limit the amount of hingedmovement by the back panel, the back, and the front panel, and sheetengaging and restraining means carried on the normally inner face ofsaid back panel spaced outwardly of its point of hinging to said back.

7. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a back betweenthe panels in proximity to certain and corresponding ends thereof, thefront panel being fixedly connected to one side of the back, the backpanel being hinged to an opposite side of saidback, said back panelhaving a stiff and inwardly disposed extension therefrom the width ofwhich substantially approximates the distance between the sides of theback, and stop means fixedly mounted on the front panel engageable attimes with a portion of said extension whereby to limit the amount ofhinged movement between the back panel, the back, and the front panel.

8. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels,cross-sectionally angularly shaped stiff bodies positioned between andin proximity to certain and corresponding ends of said panels, thefront'panel being fixedly connected to certain of the sides of saidbodies, the back panel being hinged to opposite sides of the bodies,said back panel having a stiff extension thereon disposed inwardly ofand from that portion of the same hinged to said bodies, the width ofsaid extension substantially approximating but being less than thedistance between the sides of said bodies, and means carried by certainof the sides of said bodies engageable at times with a portion of saidextension whereby to limit the extent of hinged movement between theback panel, the bodies, and the front panel.

9. A display binder, consisting of relatively opposed front and backpanels, a stiff back the depth of which is greater than the thickness ofthe back panel, the front panel being fixedly connected to one side ofthe back and extended therefrom, and the back being movable therewith,the back panel being hinged to the opposite side of the back in spacedrelation to the fixed connection of the front panel to its firstmentioned side, an extension fixedly carried by the back panel adjacentits hinging to the back and disposed inwardly and beyond the same, andmeans in fixed relation to the front panel and said first mentioned sideof the back engageable at times with the extension whereby to limit theamount of hinged move ment between the front panel, and back, and theback panel.

10. A display binder, consisting of relatively opposed front and backpanels, a stiff back the depth of which is greater than the thickness ofthe back panel, the front panel being fixedly connected to one side ofthe back and extended therefrom, and the back being movable therewith,the back panel being hinged to the opposite side of the back in spacedrelation to the fixed connection of the front panel to its firstmentioned side, an extension fixedly carried by the back panel adjacentits hinging to the back and disposed inwardly and beyond the same, meansin fixed relation to the front panel and said first mentioned side ofthe back engageable at times with the extension whereby to limit theamount of hinged movement between the front panel, and back, and theback panel, and binder means carried on the normally inner face of saidback panel substantially parallel to said back and in outwardly spacedrelation thereto.

ll. A display binder, consisting of relatively opposed front and backpanels, a substantially U-shaped body the depth of which is greater thanthe thickness of the back panel, the front panel being fixedly connectedto one side of the body and extended therefrom, and the body beingmovable therewith, the back panel being hinged to the opposite side ofthe body in spaced relation to the fixed connection of the front panelto it's first mentioned side, an extension fixedly carried by the backpanel adjacent its hinging to the body side and disposed inwardly andbeyond the same, and means in fixed relation to the front panel and thefirst mentioned side of the body engageable at times with the extensionwhereby to limit the amount of hinged movement between the front paneland body, and the back panel.

12. A display binder, consisting of front and back panels, a backbetween the panels in proximity to certain and corresponding sidesthereof, the front panel being fixedly connected to one side of theback, the back panel being hinged to an opposite side of said back, saidback panel having a stiff and inwardly disposed extension therefrom thewidth of which substantially approximates the distance between the sidesof the back, stop means fixedly mounted on the front panel engageable-attimes with a portion of said extension whereby to limit the extent ofhinged movement between the front panel and back, and the front panel,and a tray carried by and on the normally inner face of said back panelhaving an open inner side.

13. A display binder, consisting of relatively opposed front and backpanels, a stiff back the depth of which is greater than the thickness ofthe back panel, the front panel being fixedly connected to one side ofthe back and extended therefrom, and the back being movable therewith,the back panel being hinged to the opposite side of the back in spacedrelation to the fixed connection of the front panel to its firstmentioned side, an extension fixedly carried by the back panel inproximity to its point of hinging to the back and disposed inwardly andbeyond the same, means in fixed relation to the front panel and saidfirst mentioned side of the back engageable at times with the extensionwhereby to limit the amount of hinged movement between the front paneland back, and the back panel, and inwardly and angularly disposed wallscarried by the opposite ends and outer side of said back panel. I

14. A display binder, consisting of stiff front and back panels, a stilfback between the panel's, said back having an angularly disposed 'stiifside wall the free side of which is hingedly connected to the adjacentand inner side of the back panel, that side of the front panel adjacentthe remaining side of the back being fixedly connected to the latter andcollectively movable therewith, motion stop means mounted in fixedrelation to the normally inner face of the front panel above thebottomof the stiff back, means on that side of the back panel hingedlyconnected to the stiff back side wall engageable with said motion stopmeans at a predetermined point of outward hinged movement between theback panel and the stiff back and front panel, and binder means carriedon the inner face of the back panel in spaced relation to its innerside.

15. A display binder, consisting of stilf front and back panels, a stilfback between the panel's, said back having an angula'rly disposed stiffside wall the free side of which is hingedly connected to the adjacentand inner side of the back panel, that side of the front panel adjacentthe remaining side of the back being fixedly connected to the latter andcollectively movable therewith, motion stop means mounted in fixedrelation to the normally inner face of the front panel above the bottomof the stiff back, means on that side of the back panel hingedlyconnected to the stiff back side wall engageable with said motion stopmeans at a predetermined point of outward hinged movement between theback panel and the stiff back and front panel, and walls carried by andon the normally inner face of the back panel in proximity to the outerside and ends thereof.

No references cited.

